Disposable surgical connector

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a disposable surgical connector. The surgical connector includes a first and a second member. Each of the members have compatible guide structure to cause a force fit between the members when the members are slid into place. The first member also includes compatible guide structure for slideably connecting the surgical connector with an electronic or other device. The second member includes a cable connection member which connects the electrical or similar cable to the surgical connector and which secures the cable and its contacts within the surgical connector. 
     The first member includes a cable connection indicator, which upon complete connection of the surgical connector with the device makes both an audible sound and a distinct tactile feel to give assurance as to the proper fit between both the connector and the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to connectors used in the medical field. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to connectors which are disposableand which are used to connect a surgical cable from the operating deviceto a power device such as a computer or other similar device.

In the world of surgical connectors, disposability has becomeincreasingly important. Overwhelmingly, new surgical procedures call fordisposing of the cables, connects and all but the most expensive devicesin the surgical theater. The spread of infectious diseases is only asmall part of the problem. Lawsuits or potential from those who mightcome into contact with improperly cleaned surgical equipment, such ascables and connectors, make such items disposable even should they berelatively expensive. A single lawsuit is hundreds or even thousands oftimes more expensive than the cost of simply disposing of the cables andconnectors on a routine basis.

Therefore what is needed is a replacement for the relatively inexpensiveconnectors that provides at least equal reliability while at a fractionof the price of the non-disposable connectors performing precisely thesame function. The inventor here has developed such a connector thatallows the surgical team, doctors and hospital to dispose of connectorsand cables which giving patients and doctors the type of reliabilitythey come to expect and require from non-disposable connectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a disposable connector,which provides an indication when there is a proper connection betweenthe connector and the device.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide such adisposable connector, which provides an audible indication of a properconnection between the connector and the device.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide such adisposable connector, which provides a tactile indication of a properconnection between the connector and the device.

In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentionedand will become apparent below, the disposable surgical connector inaccordance with this invention comprising:

-   -   a first member including:        -   a housing defining a cylindrical body, the body having a            guide structure;        -   cable connector within the housing        -   cable connection indicator member for indicating when the            cable is in proper contact with the cable connector; and            a second member having an end compatible for mating            connection with the cable and the other end compatible for            connection with the first member, the second member having a            guide structure compatible for connection with the first            member guide structure.

In exemplary embodiments of the disposable surgical connector inaccordance with this invention, the connection indicator membercomprises at least one outwardly projecting tab which is fixed to thefirst member and upon the cable being slid into proper position withdevice, the tabs register an audible sound and a distinct tactile feelof being locked in place.

In another exemplary embodiment, the interconnectable elements of thedisposable surgical connector in accordance with this invention areslideably connectable and form a force fit to insure proper connection.

It is an advantage of this invention to a provide a surgical connectorin accordance with this invention, which provides a relativelyinexpensive disposable connector which ensures a proper connection ofthe connector with the device using both tactile and audible senses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the presentinvention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, inwhich like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector in accordance with theinvention illustrating the cable connection indicator member in place.

FIG. 3 illustrates the fully assembled connector in accordance with theinvention in a cut away plan view.

FIG. 4 is a cut away view of the assembled connector in accordance withthis invention.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the connector in accordance with the inventionprior to insertion into a device.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the connector in accordance with the inventionprior to insertion with the cable.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the first member connector in accordance withthe invention prior to insertion into the second member.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are plan views of the connector in accordance with theinvention illustrating the cable connection indicator member before andafter connection.

FIG. 10 is a partially cut away perspective view of the assembledconnector in accordance with the invention prior to connection with adevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the disposable surgical connector inaccordance with the invention, shown generally by the numeral 10 willnow be described with respect to FIG. 1. Typically, the connector 10 isused to connect one end of a cable to a surgical device and the otherend to a monitor, such as a computer. After the surgery, the used cableincluding the connector is discarded.

The connector 10 includes a first member 12. The first member 12includes a housing 13, which defines a cylindrical body having front andback guide structure 14 and 16, respectively. The front guide structure14 defines a male key member 18. The male key member 18 is adapted tofit in the female key member of the device 20. The back guide structure16 includes a series of detents 22 which are sized and shaped forcompatible mating engagement with the second member as will be describedbelow.

Additionally, the first member includes a stop 24 between front and backguide structure 14 and 16, respectively. The stop 24 acts to insure amating fit between the device 20 and the connector 10 and the first andsecond members.

Within the connector first member 12, sits a cable connector 25, as seenmore clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cable connector 25 includes a collarwith an outer perimeter sized and shaped to fit snugly within theinterior diameter of the first member 22. In other words, in theexemplary embodiment shown, the outer perimeter has a series of detentsmatingly matching the detents of the first member 22.

Also found within the first member interior is the cable connectionindicator member 26. The cable connection indicator member 26 defines acollar 28 having an outer perimeter sized and shaped to fit snuglywithin the interior diameter of the first member 22. Extending form theouter perimeter of the collar 28 is the indicator structure 30. In theexemplary embodiment, the indicator structure comprises a pair of tabsor ears.

Adjacent either side of the front guide structure 14, are a pair ofapertures 32. The indicators 30 fit matingly within the apertures. Aswill be appreciated more fully below, the ears extend fully through theapertures when full and complete contact is made between the connector10 and the device 20.

The connector 10 includes a second member as illustrated in FIGS. 1 & 2.One end 42 of the second member 40 has an aperture 44 sized and shapedfor compatible fit with the cable. The end of the cable is strippedexposing the leads 46. The leads 46 are threaded compatibly with cableconnector 25, which sits within the housing 13.

The second member 40 also has guide structure 50 on the exteriorsurface, which is matingly compatible with the back guide structure 16and indicator 26. The second member 40 also has a stop 52, which assuresproper seating of the first and second members, 12 and 40, respectively.

The cable connector 25 is pushed within the interior of the first memberupon proper connection of the first and second members, 12 and 40,respectively. After proper seating of the first and second members, 12and 40, respectively, (FIGS. 1 and 2) the connector 10 is then insertedinto the device 20 and the indicator 26 makes an audible sound lettingthe user know that the cable is properly connected to the device 20,both physically and electrically (FIG. 3). The first and second members,12 and 40, respectively are thus in force fit connection.

With particular reference to FIG. 4, there is shown the back guidestructure 16 in side plan view. As shown the stop 24 is concentric withthe cable connector 25 and the guide means 16.

With particular reference to FIG. 5, there is shown the front guidestructure 14 in side plan view. The front guide structure 14 in the formof the male key member 18 in the exemplary embodiment shown in thedrawing is concentric with the stop 24.

With particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown the secondmember 40. In FIG. 6, one end of the second member 40 is shown havingaperture 44, while in FIG. 7, the guide structure 50 and the stop 52 andtheir relationship are shown.

With particular reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown the cableconnection indicator member 26. FIGS. 8 and 9 clearly show the front andback views of indicator member 26. Typically, the indicator 26,including the ears 30 is made from an engineering plastic which providesdurability and which makes an audible sound upon being fully engagedwith the apertures 32 in the first member 12.

With particular reference to FIG. 10, there is shown the assembledconnector 10 in accordance this invention being inserted into the device20. As is clearly illustrated in FIG. 10, the interior of the device 20has detents 60 matching the sized and shaped for compatible engagementwith the ears 30. As is evident from the shape and size of the ears 30and the detents 60, when fully engaged, the ears 30 will create atactile locking feel as well as audible indication of full engagement.It will be appreciated that the ears 30 also serve to secure theconnector to the device in proper mating engagement.

While the foregoing detailed description has described one particularembodiment of the connector in accordance with the invention andparticularly one embodiment of the indicator which makes an audible andtactile indication that proper engagement between the device and theconnector has been achieved. It will be appreciated that other physicalrepresentations which are disposable and which give tactile and audibleindication of proper connection are possible within the spirit and scopeof the invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by theclaims as set forth below.

1. A disposable surgical connector, adapted for connection on one end toa cable and a port of electrical device on the other end, comprising: afirst member including: a housing defining a cylindrical body, the bodyhaving a guide structure; cable connector within the housing cableconnection indicator member for indicating when the cable is in propercontact with the cable connector at least one outwardly projecting tab,which is fixed to the first member and upon the cable being slid intoproper position with the first member, the tabs register an audiblesound; a pair of opposed slotted openings and the cable connectionindicator member tabs fit snugly within the tabs and project outwardlyand upon proper cable connection with the cable connector the tabs, anaudible sound is made; and a second member having an end compatible formating connection with the cable and the other end compatible forconnection with the first member, the second member having a guidestructure compatible for connection with the first member guidestructure.
 2. The disposable connector as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe first and the second members are slideably connectable and when inconnection form a force fit between the members.
 3. The disposableconnector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cable connector comprisesa multi-pin connector board adapted and aligned for proper matingcontact with the cable and the port of the electrical device.
 4. Thedisposable connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first memberhas an exterior and an interior, and wherein the exterior has a guidemember for guiding the cable into proper mating connection with thedisposable connector, so that an audible sound is made by the cableconnector indicator upon proper connection.
 5. The disposable connectoras set forth in claim 1, wherein the first member has a first end zoneand a second end zone; and a middle section flange defining a stopmember for properly positioning the connector within the electricaldevice port; the first end zone have a guide member and the cableindicator member for properly positioning the cable in connection withthe disposable connector and the second end zone having exterior adaptedfor mating connection with the electrical device port and an interioradapted for connection with the second member.
 6. The disposableconnector as set forth in claim 5, wherein the second member has aninterior and an exterior and the exterior adapted for compatible matingconnection with the first member interior.
 7. The disposable connectoras set forth in claim 6, wherein second member have a first end zoneadapted for connection to the first member and a second zone adapted forconnection with the port of the electrical device.
 8. The disposableconnector as set forth in claim 7, wherein both the first and secondmembers define hollow cylindrical bodies.